When Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai amongst thunder and lightning, the people of Israel feared God’s anger and judgement. We discover that the fear of God has nothing to do with being afraid in this way, and that the commandments themselves have a much greater story of God’s love and liberation at their heart, with an invitation for all to live in the rhythm of God’s ways.
Sermon 5th October, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
The people of Israel struggle again in the wilderness – this time thirsty and in fear of their lives. As the Lord guides Moses to the rock that will spring forth water, we find that God has always been present.
While it is good to remember these stories and celebrate them, if God is always present then God is creating new stories of our own of God with us.
Sermon: September 28th, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
The people of Israel find themselves desperately in need of food in the wilderness. Their plight seems so dire that they have forgotten the stories of God being with them all through this journey towards the promised land. The story of God with us is vital because it is the ultimate story of meaning and purpose. In the case of the people of Israel, God gives them another chapter of meaning as God’s story keeps weaving itself into their own story.
Sermon September 21st, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
I’ve recently started a short course on the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is interesting because it is about training our minds to be alert to what is present and real.
There is a story that comes from India that speaks about how easy it is to trap a monkey. All that is needed is to put a banana inside a coconut with a hole big enough for the monkey to put its hand in. The monkey reaches inside the coconut for the banana, but cannot pull the banana out once it has grabbed it. Most monkeys, it seems, are so reluctant to let go of the banana that they are captured instead.
The human mind is like this, despite all of our intelligence. We try to hold onto things that are pleasant, and deny things that are not so agreeable. What mindfulness teaches is to be present to all things – good, bad and things in between. Our increased awareness of what is real means that we are more capable of enjoying the moments that are truly pleasant, and more able to cope with things that are difficult.
For the latest happenings from the Balkara Parish and the St. David’s Oakleigh congregation, check out our online copy of the July newsletter.
Parish News – September 2008Â (pdf 252kB)
Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness: “Is seven times enough?”
Jesus responds in a startling manner, suggesting that we are called to never reach the end of our compassion and mercy towards others. We reflect on the forgiveness we receive from God, and how that changes our own lives.
Sermon September 14th, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
Moses finds himself living in exile ‘beyond the wilderness’ because he took God’s justice into his own hands and killed an Egyptian guard.
From moments of being flawed and exiled, God calls ordinary human beings back to life in line with God’s purposes.
Sermon August 31st, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
For the latest about what is happening in the Balkara parish, check out our parish newsletter below. Parish News – August 2008
God take our tears …. USE THEM TO WATER SOMETHING NEW.
The gospel story of the Canaanite woman pleading with Jesus that her daughter be free from torment is particularly troubling for those who desire healing and yet do not get the healing we desire. Is God not listening? Is our faith too small? Is God doing something else that we do not expect?
These are not academic questions for people who grieve. This week has been a difficult week for my family, so they are my questions as well.
Sermon 17th August, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
These words from Jesus come in the form of an archetypal story full of fearful elements – storm, dark, night, raging sea, depths, distance from shore, and even ghosts.
The ghost that appears is actually the comforter. Jesus message to the disciples is, “take heart, it is I, do not be afraid”. We reflect on where God is present amongst the storms and how God may be found.
Sermon 10th August 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga